Updating macOS on Your University-Owned Mac

Keeping your Mac's operating system (macOS) up to date is an important part of maintaining security, performance, and compatibility with university systems and applications. To help protect your data and the university's systems, IT Services requires that all computers connecting to the Marquette network run a macOS version currently supported by Apple. Apple provides security updates only for a limited number of recent macOS versions. When a Mac is no longer supported, it stops receiving critical security fixes and may be blocked from accessing the MU network.

This article explains when and how faculty and staff should update macOS.

Why Updating macOS Matters

Regular macOS updates help:

Protect university data through security patches
Maintain compatibility with email, learning platforms, VPN, and administrative systems
Improve system stability and performance
Reduce support issues caused by outdated software

Security note: Delaying updates can increase the risk of security vulnerabilities, especially when accessing institutional data.

Current macOS support requirements

To remain connected to the Marquette network, your Mac must be running one of the following supported versions of macOS:

macOS 26 (Tahoe) - Current
macOS 15 (Sequoia) - Supported
macOS 14 (Sonoma) - Supported

Macs running macOS 13 (Ventura) or earlier are no longer supported by Apple and will need to be upgraded, replaced, or removed from the network

Before You Update

Please review the following before starting:

Plan for downtime

Minor updates: ~30 minutes
Major upgrades: up to 60 - 90 minutes
Your Mac will be unavailable during installation

Confirm readiness

Connect to reliable Wi-Fi
Plug your Mac into power
Ensure at least 20 - 30 GB of free storage
Back up important files to OneDrive.

Check software compatibility

If you rely on specialized academic, research, or administrative software, confirm it supports the new macOS version before upgrading.
University-managed Macs may have update timing or restrictions.

How to Update macOS

Step 1: Open System Settings

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner
Select System Settings
Click General
Select Software Update

Step 2: Check for Updates

macOS will automatically check for available updates.
You may see:
- Minor updates (security or bug fixes)
- Major upgrades (new macOS version)

Step 3: Install the Update

Click Update Now or Upgrade Now
Enter your Mac password if prompted.
Your Mac may restart one or more times

DO NOT CLOSE THE LID OR POWER OFF YOUR MAC DURING THE UPDATE.

After the Update Completes

Log back in normally
Confirm your applications open as expected
Check System Settings > General > Software Update to ensure no additional updates are pending.

What if my Mac is not supported?

If your Mac can be upgraded

Some Macs running older versions of macOS are eligible for an upgrade.

Recommended next steps:

Back up your data
Install the newest supported version available for your computer
Contact the IT Services TechSquad if you would like assistance upgrading

If your Mac cannot be upgraded

Older hardware may not support newer versions of macOS

In this case:

The computer will need to be replaced or
Removed from the MU network.

IT Services can help you:

Determine whether your Mac is upgradable
Identify an appropriate replacement device
Plan a transition that minimizes disruption

Common Questions

Why can't I keep using my Mac if it still works?

Once Apple ends support for a macOS version, it no longer receives security updates. Continuing to use unsupported software creates security risks for you and the university.

Can I request an exception?

In rate cases, short-term exceptions may be considered for business-critical needs, but unsupported devices cannot remain on the network in the long term.

Will this delete my files?

No. Updating macOS does not remove your files, but a backup is strongly recommended in case of unexpected issues.